From the comments on this article (which is, itself, a must read):
Every trillion squandered on global warming, is a trillion not spent on earthquake preparedness.
Resources are limited and everything human beings do involves a trade off. It is much more likely (in fact, inevitable) that California or Missouri will suffer a catastrophic earthquake than that the ocean levels will rise in a manner causing an equal disaster. Which do you want to prepare for: polar ice caps melting, or a 9.0 quake in California? We can’t do everything. Choose.